Booth: A Favor-able Man

During the course of the investigation, Booth’s room at the National was searched. In the room, the investigators discovered a treasure trove of materials in Booth’s theatrical trunk. Several of the documents in Booth’s trunk were used in the investigation and even in the trial. The “Sam” letter written by Samuel Arnold was one such important discovery. Some other papers were unrelated to Booth’s plot. The following is a letter written by an actor, J.H. Young, asking Booth for a favor, twelve days prior to his assassination of Lincoln:

“Baltimore, April 2nd, ’65

Dear Friend John:

I have been so devilishly unfortunate as to be drafted the other day, and very scarce of funds just at present, (having been put to considerable expense by the death of a brother-in-law in Washington and the consequent necessities of his widow and children.) I avail myself of old intimacy to ask if you will be willing to play “Richard” for my benefit at Front Street Theatre on Saturday afternoon next, provided I can get the Theatre. I spoke to Kunkel last night, and he will give me an answer tomorrow. Necessity, only, John, induces me to make this request. Mary wishes to be particularly remembered. I trust you will favor me with an early reply, and oblige yours, as ever, in friendship.

J. H. Young,

Sun Office.”

It is unlikely that Young went to war, seeing as Richmond fell and Lee surrendered to Grant shortly after this letter was written.

While Booth did not perform a benefit for Young, this letter still presents a look at how well Booth was viewed by his acting peers. Young clearly thought Booth was a talented and popular enough actor to bring in a crowd, thus gaining him significant funds. In addition, Booth had a reputation for generosity which made him a likely candidate to help out a fellow thespian. Had his mind not been on other pursuits, it is probable that he would have come out of “retirement” to help Mr. Young.

Dave, tell me about these “benefit performances”. Why were they so prevalent? Why did the theater owners allow these? What about their profit? Wasn’t “Our American Cousin” a benefit for Laura Keene the night of the assassination? Donna

As to why theater owners did them, I can only hypothesize. I would think it would help them attract high profile talent by offering their stars money making benefits. Star actors may be willing to perform for less during a run if they think they’ll be able to recoup the losses with a benefit. Just my ideas.

Dumb question regarding the use of the word “drafted”. This late into the war the all indications was nothing less than a union victory, would they still be drafting for the army? Or possibly was Young referring to a financial situation?

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Dave & Kate’s Speaking Engagements in 2018

Want to come heckle BoothieBarn authors Dave Taylor and Kate Ramirez in person? Here are some of our public speaking engagements planned for the future.

Date: Sunday, March 18, 2018Location: Jarrettsville Branch of Harford County Public Library (3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, MD 21084)Time: 2:00 pmSpeech: Beware the People Whistling: The Final Days of Mary SurrattSpeaker: Kate RamirezDescription: In this first person reenactment, Kate will take on the role of Mary Surratt as she contemplates the events that have put her prison and on trial in the assassination President Abraham Lincoln.Cost: Free

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018Location: Colony South Hotel and Conference Center (7401 Surratts Rd, Clinton, MD 20735)Time: AfternoonSpeech: The Death of Abraham Lincoln: Reactions from a Divided NationSpeaker: Dave TaylorDescription: The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln was an unprecedented event in American history. From coast to coast, the dramatic news resonated deeply with people from all walks of life. Many cried for their fallen leader, while others privately condoned his death. The differing reactions to Lincoln’s assassination paint a vivid picture of how a divided nation mourns.Cost: Dave’s speech is one of several that will be presented as part of the Surratt House Museum’s annual Lincoln assassination conference. The cost for the whole conference, including three meals and the evening’s entertainment is $185. More details and information on registration can be found at http://www.surrattmuseum.org/annual-conference

Date: Thursday, April 26, 2018Location: Jarrettsville Branch of Harford County Public Library (3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, MD 21084)Time: 6:30 pmSpeech: Inter Arma Silent Leges: The Wrongful Execution of Mary E. SurrattSpeaker: Kate RamirezDescription: In this scholarly speech, Kate analyzes the evidence that was used to convict and execute Mary Surratt for her role in the death of Lincoln. Kate discusses the holes in the prosecution’s case and the reasonable doubt that exists in her conviction.Cost: Free

Date: Sunday, May 6, 2018Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)Time: 2:00 pmSpeech: Shakespearean Daughter: The Life of Edwina BoothSpeaker: Kate RamirezDescription: Edwina Booth was the only child of tragedian Edwin Booth and his first wife, Mary Devlin. In her speech, Kate will discuss the events that shaped Edwina’s life and how her life mirrored the Shakespearan characters her father enacted on stage. More information will be posted later at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.htmlCost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2018Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)Time: 2:00 pmSpeech: Joseph Booth: The Youngest Brother of John Wilkes BoothSpeaker: Dave TaylorDescription: Of all of the Booth brothers, it was only the youngest Booth, Joseph Adrian who shunned the spotlight. Born into a family of actors, young Joseph only briefly entered the family profession before realizing he exited the stage for good. While far less is known about Joseph than his famous (and infamous) brothers, the details we we do know paint a fascinating tale of an enigmatic brother. In his speech, Dave will examine the life of Joseph Adrian Booth and the impact Lincoln’s assassination had on his life. More information will be posted later at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.htmlCost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall

Date: Sunday, September 9, 2018Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)Time: 2:00 pmSpeech: Shakespearean Daughter: The Life of Edwina BoothSpeaker: Kate RamirezDescription: Edwina Booth was the only child of tragedian Edwin Booth and his first wife, Mary Devlin. In her speech, Kate will discuss the events that shaped Edwina’s life and how her life mirrored the Shakespearan characters her father enacted on stage. More information will be posted later at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.htmlCost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall

Date: Sunday, October 7, 2018Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)Time: 2:00 pmSpeech: Joseph Booth: The Youngest Brother of John Wilkes BoothSpeaker: Dave TaylorDescription: Of all of the Booth brothers, it was only the youngest Booth, Joseph Adrian who shunned the spotlight. Born into a family of actors, young Joseph only briefly entered the family profession before realizing he exited the stage for good. While far less is known about Joseph than his famous (and infamous) brothers, the details we we do know paint a fascinating tale of an enigmatic brother. In his speech, Dave will examine the life of Joseph Adrian Booth and the impact Lincoln’s assassination had on his life. More information will be posted later at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.htmlCost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall